EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS IS ARGUABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- COLOR, IMPRESSION, FRESHNESS OF PAPER AND GUM AND CENTERING.

Beautifully-preserved intense color is the desirable rich Crimson Lake shade; the paper and gum are fresh and bright, without any of the toning that often affects the Crimson Lake stamps.

This $4.00 Columbian is legendary among knowledgeable collectors and dealers, and its appearance in the marketplace has always established a new benchmark value for the issue. For the collector attempting to assemble the finest set of Mint Never-Hinged Columbian stamps in existence, the $4.00 is a major obstacle to completion. This extraordinary example will become the keystone to perfection.